Marine Trim Actuator Control for Speed-Adaptive Trim Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim systems for marine vessels are insufficiently responsive, particularly at high speeds and during acceleration events, and fail to provide optimal trim rate changes, leading to potential safety issues and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A variable speed trim system that adjusts the trim rate based on vessel and engine parameters, including speed, pitch, acceleration, and engine operation states, using a variable speed trim actuator to optimize trim position changes, minimizing aggressive movements at high speeds and ensuring quick responses at low speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed speed trim actuator is used, then the system structure is simple, but the trim responsiveness is insufficient at high speeds and during acceleration events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed-speed trim actuator to a variable-speed trim actuator that dynamically adjusts its rotation speed based on real-time vessel conditions (speed, pitch, acceleration). The controller receives sensor inputs and modulates the actuator speed to optimize trim responsiveness across different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and responsive performance.
2Speed
If rapid trim movements are made at high speeds, then trim position adjustment is fast, but safety issues and user frustration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the trim rate parameter based on vessel speed, pitch, and acceleration conditions. At high speeds and during acceleration events, the controller reduces the trim rate to prevent safety issues and user frustration. At low speeds, the trim rate is increased for faster positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between fast adjustment and safety.
3Loss of time
If trim rate is maximized for quick positioning, then responsiveness is improved, but aggressive movements occur at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the trim rate based on real-time vessel conditions. The controller monitors vessel speed, pitch, and acceleration to modulate the trim actuator speed, enabling fast positioning at low speeds while preventing aggressive movements at high speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between quick positioning and harmful aggressive movements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a variable speed trim actuator is used, then trim responsiveness is optimized for various conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a variable-speed trim actuator system that performs multiple functions: it operates in both manual and automatic modes, adapts to different vessel conditions (speed, pitch, acceleration), and provides optimized trim rates for various operating scenarios. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by consolidating multiple control capabilities into a single integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling tilt-trim position of a trimmable device on a marine vessel includes receiving an engine speed, a vessel speed, a vessel pitch, and/or a vessel acceleration. A trim rate is then determined based on the engine speed, the vessel speed, the vessel pitch, and/or the vessel acceleration. The trim rate specifies a rate of rotation of the trimmable device about a horizontal axis, and the trim rate is determined such that the rate of rotation is minimized at high vessel speeds and high engine speeds and the rate of rotation is maximized at low vessel speeds and low engine speeds. A variable speed trim actuator is then controlled to rotate the trimmable device based on the trim rate so as to adjust a trim position of the trimmable device.